Firmino arrives early and gets tested in Brazil training

LONDON (AP):

Roberto Firmino joined up with Brazil's World Cup squad earlier than expected and was rewarded by coach Tite with a place up front alongside Neymar in training yesterday.

The Liverpool striker, expected to vie for a spot with Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus, lined up with Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar and Chelsea's Willian in an open session at Tottenham's training centre.

"Liverpool is nearby, so I decided to rush here," Firmino jokingly told the Brazilian football confederation's website. "I came by train. I had two more days to stay at home, but I decided to come early and start now."

He had been excused until today after playing in the Champions League final against Real Madrid on Saturday.

Madrid's Casemiro and Marcelo plan to arrive in London today as scheduled.

Miranda, a starter during much of the qualifying campaign, was replaced by Thiago Silva in defence yesterday.